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E85

How many on here use E85? I have tried it several times on one of our older vehicles (2002 Dodge Caravan) and the millage is terrible. We average 22 mpg with the 10% blend and less around 17 mpg with the E85. Have they made improvements in newer engines, or is this the norm for all flex fuel cars? With the price being about the same now I will probably not be using any E85 in the future.

Re: E85

Originally Posted by ISU_REV

How many on here use E85? I have tried it several times on one of our older vehicles (2002 Dodge Caravan) and the millage is terrible. We average 22 mpg with the 10% blend and less around 17 mpg with the E85. Have they made improvements in newer engines, or is this the norm for all flex fuel cars? With the price being about the same now I will probably not be using any E85 in the future.

I always thought it was proven fact that mileage decreases the more alcohol you burn for fuel. I don't think it's the car, gasoline just packs for energy than alcohol does.

Re: E85

I've never used E85, but I thought you had to have special fuel lines & injection system in your vehicle to use it. Maybe that was just to prohibit more corrosion over time though?.... I can't remember off the top of my head.

Re: E85

Originally Posted by Jonecy

I've never used E85, but I thought you had to have special fuel lines & injection system in your vehicle to use it. Maybe that was just to prohibit more corrosion over time though?.... I can't remember off the top of my head.

The big thing is the fact that you have to have more fuel, so most of the time you will have to upgrade to bigger injectors. Also, you need to have someone tune your car to run the stuff. Otherwise, you are pretty much wasting your time.

A lot of people are upgrading to E-85 for the performance benifits. Most of the time, people will see ~30hp gain. Sometimes more.

Re: E85

Originally Posted by Stewo

The big thing is the fact that you have to have more fuel, so most of the time you will have to upgrade to bigger injectors. Also, you need to have someone tune your car to run the stuff. Otherwise, you are pretty much wasting your time.

A lot of people are upgrading to E-85 for the performance benifits. Most of the time, people will see ~30hp gain. Sometimes more.

Re: E85

At least E85 is a renewable source. If gas gets to $4 or $5 a gallon, then ethanol will make economic sense again. Who believes gas will stay at under $2 per gallon for an extended period of time? I don't.

Re: E85

Originally Posted by rbrook

At least E85 is a renewable source. If gas gets to $4 or $5 a gallon, then ethanol will make economic sense again. Who believes gas will stay at under $2 per gallon for an extended period of time? I don't.

Tin Hat time.

I personally think the oil companies propped e85 for a major fall. Lets let lots and LOTS of ppl invest in the processing plants (in our backyard no less) with expensive gas (anything > $2.75 /gallon) giving the earnings statements credibility ... then bring the gas price WAY down to bankrupt the Ethanol plants... costing many the money they invested... making them dislike Ethanol for a long, long time. Or at least investing in its growth.

-keep.

The first and best victory is to conquer self; to be conquered by self is of all things most shameful and vile. - Plato

Re: E85

Originally Posted by rbrook

At least E85 is a renewable source. If gas gets to $4 or $5 a gallon, then ethanol will make economic sense again. Who believes gas will stay at under $2 per gallon for an extended period of time? I don't.

The thing is if gas gets that high E85 will be almost as high just so the ethanol plants can make a profit. I heard they are losing big time with the current prices.

Re: E85

Originally Posted by keepngoal

Tin Hat time.

I personally think the oil companies propped e85 for a major fall. Lets let lots and LOTS of ppl invest in the processing plants (in our backyard no less) with expensive gas (anything > $2.75 /gallon) giving the earnings statements credibility ... then bring the gas price WAY down to bankrupt the Ethanol plants... costing many the money they invested... making them dislike Ethanol for a long, long time. Or at least investing in its growth.

-keep.

Is that tinfoil leaking into your brain? I heard it causes seizures. :)

Re: E85

IIRC, even GM admits that E85 mileage in Flex vehicles is about 20% lower, so it makes no sense financially to use E85 unless the price difference is more than 20%.

I have a 1998 Dodge van that has a flex fuel engire in it. When I bought it, I asked what would need to be done if I wanted to run E85. I was told that, for that engire, about the only change that needed to be made was different oil (E85 burned hotter), all I needed to do was let the garage know when I changed my oil, and they would take care of getting the engine ready to handle it.

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